What is the West vertical port primarily used for?

What is the West vertical port primarily used for?

• A. Antimony-Beryllium neutron source kept in the West VP; a regenerative source that decays and needs recharging.
• B. Pu-Be source housed in the West VP.
• C. Water purge line for cooling.
• D. Instrumentation port only.

Answer: (A)

The West vertical port is designed to provide a controlled neutron source for startup, calibration, and checks of the reactor’s neutron instrumentation. The source kept there is an antimony-beryllium neutron source, chosen for its compact, reliable neutron output that can be inserted into the core region when needed. It’s described as regenerative because the source activity decays over time, so it must be recharged or refreshed to restore its neutron strength. Other options don’t fit the primary use of this port: a Pu-Be source would serve different purposes and isn’t the standard source kept in this location; a water purge line is part of cooling and cleanliness systems, not a neutron source; and an instrumentation port is meant for sensors and diagnostics, not for housing a neutron source.

The West vertical port is designed to provide a controlled neutron source for startup, calibration, and checks of the reactor’s neutron instrumentation. The source kept there is an antimony-beryllium neutron source, chosen for its compact, reliable neutron output that can be inserted into the core region when needed. It’s described as regenerative because the source activity decays over time, so it must be recharged or refreshed to restore its neutron strength.

Other options don’t fit the primary use of this port: a Pu-Be source would serve different purposes and isn’t the standard source kept in this location; a water purge line is part of cooling and cleanliness systems, not a neutron source; and an instrumentation port is meant for sensors and diagnostics, not for housing a neutron source.